FOOTBALL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9065, 28 May 1888, Page 6

FOOTBALL.

GORDON V. GRAFTON.

The first meeting of these two clubs took plAce afc Potter's Field on Saturday last, and was witnessed by about 300 spectators, the threatening weather and natural reaction after the big matches last week being the couses of so small an attendance. Both clubs had good fifteens in the field, but the Graf ton men throughout played in a halfhearted manner, which contrasted unfavourably with the combination shown by their opponents. From the kick-off the play was for somo time in neutral ground, loose and open scrum work being done, until a spoilt return by McCausland took the play to Gordon's 25. The blacks' forwards worked it quickly out of danger. A neat pass by Graham to Mackie gave the latter an opportunity for a good run, which Lusk stopped, and the Gordon forwards again took the leather from their quarters. Another chargo by Spencer was neutralised by Binnoy. Loose play followed, and the maroons' quarters wore invaded by a fast rush by Clayton, Shiols, and Gould, who took the leather over the line, but Brown saved just in time. A fine rally by the Grafton forwards took the leather away after the kick-out, and Lusk relieved his Bide by good punting, while Herrold bohind the scrum was doing splendid work. Loose play in neutral ground, with alternate advantage followed, until McCausland tried a place at goal from a mark without effect. After being on Gordon's 25 line for a minute the ball, by a fine rush of Otway, Binney, and Gould, aided by Herrold and Moldrum, was taken toGraf ton's quarter?, where McCausland had the ball thrown back by Herrold, and landed a pretty goal with a left foot pot shot. After the score Grafton several times menaced their opponents, but the punting tactics of the backs always relioved the Gordon lines. Elliott made several attempts, and on one occasion Lusk just stopped him in time. In the second spell, though Grafton penned their opponents for a minute or two, and a couple of pots by J. McCausland and Brown obliged tno blacks to force, the Gordon men had considerably tho best of the game, and a smart dash by Mold rum in the maroons' 26 secured a try, from which McCausland placed a goal. In tho last five minutes of the play a good rush by the Grafton forwards, headed by Lecky, carried the ball over Gordon's lino, and a try to the credit of the Grafton skipper resulted. Brown took the place, but no further score was made, and the game finished : Gordon, 6 ; Grafton, 1. For the victors Herrold played a fine all-round game, while McCausland and Lusk also did yeoman service, and in tho forwards Gould, Binney, Otway, Murray, and Clayton were very prominent. For Grafton Graham and Elliott were the best of the backs, and were assisted well by J. McCausland and T. Brown, while MeKenzie, Lecky, Twinamc, and Muir did the hardest work among tho forwards, but a lack of combination was frequently apparent. AUCKLAND V. NORTH SIIOKK. This match was played at tho Dovonport Recreation Ground on Saturday afternoon, and resulted after a good struggle in a drawn game. The visiting team played without tho valuable services of O'Connor, while tho Shore men were also handicapped by the absence of their captain, Marshall. The game was confined a good deal to forward work, and in this department the Auckland men had a bit the best of their opponents. Owing to the great riilliculty iu obtaining gentlemen to act as umpires, the game was played without these officials, while Mr. D. Stewart acted a,s referee. A try was obtained for Auckland by R. Crowe, but no goal was kicked, while the score for North Shore was obtained by Webster. The place at goal was taken by Swinnerton, and many considered that the ball wont between the bars, but the referee decided that no addition to the score had taken place. For the local players Patterson, Webster, and Johnson played well in the forward division, while Mays and Tan field did good work as backs. Fisher, at three-quarters, for Auckland, helped his team by judicious punting and steady defence, while Moore, Parker, and Crowe were prominent in the scrums. SKLWYN V. NORTH SHORE SECOND. In this match tho former team defeated North Shore by two points to nil. PONSONBY SECOND V*. GORDON SECOND. This was a very hardly-contested gauie, and resulted in a draw, neither team scoring. GRAFTON SECOND V. UNIVERSITY. A well-played match took placo between these two clubs, the former eventually wining by three points. STANDARD V. NELSON. Standard won by one point to nil, a try obtained by W. Hales. In the Domain several junior fixtures were played. Waitemata Second beat Grafton Third by 1 try to love. Nokon were defeated by Standard by 1 point to nil, and the Imperial won their match against the Victoria by 3 points. Oxford played Victoria Second, and scored 9 points to 1, Britomart beat Imperial Second by 2 to nothing, Albany won their match with Creston by 3 points to love.

In regard to the recent visit of the English Football Team to Auckland, it is interesting to note the high opinion that the old country players have taken away with them of the colonial kickists. In the course of conversation with several gentlemen interested in tho Rugby game, Mr. A. E. Stoddart, the crack threequarter, stated that ho should like nothing better than to tako home a clioeon fifteen of New Zealand players, and believed that, witli a month's coaching such a fifteen would bo more than a match for the bulk of English county teams, and would give an international fifteen all they could do to avert defeat from their hands.

We understand that funds are being raised towards the presenting of a testimonial to Mr. C. Madigan, to whoso efforts Auckland's victory in tho last match against tho English fifteen was so largely due. When it is remembered that Madigan played for fully fifty minutes in the match with conspicuous brilliance after ho had his collarbone broken, and that lie is by that accident likely to be incapacitated for work for perhaps a month or more, and has others dependent upon him for support, we feel sure that those who admiro good British pluck will not fail bo contribute to the fund which is being raised on his behalf. Messrs. C. Hesketh, J. A. Cooper, and the officers of the Grafbon Foobball Club will receive donations for this object.